For architects Darci Hazelbaker and Dale Rush, the duo behind Tucson–based Hazelbaker Rush, restoring their 1925 Spanish-revival bungalow was an exercise in honoring the home’s century-old past. The pair combined two bedrooms, clad the walls with wood lath, and mixed their own furniture prototypes with treasured midcentury pieces. The result is an interior that reflects the couple’s simple yet functional design mantra, with an honest reflection of place and time.

$1,260 Demolition	$870 Framing + Insulation	$3,000 Electrical
$2,800 Plumbing	$630 HVAC	$3,500 Exterior Stucco
$700 Windows	$800 Door	$520 Lighting
$5,500 Finishes	$4,500 Fixtures	$6,200 Appliances
$8,100 Cabinets & Countertop	$3,800 Misc. Construction
Grand Total: $42,180

"The design decisions were driven by our desire to update the home without losing its historic character and presence in the neighborhood," explains Dale. Ultimately, this meant tackling most of the construction themselves as a way to discover ways to accommodate their needs while remaining flexible with material selection.

Ricarda, a pup they are fostering during the COVID-19 crisis. "Our homes are a place of refuge—a manifestation of our lives—and change as we do," says Dale. "A home allows one to surround themselves with objects that reflect their histories, encounters, and experiences."" layout="wide" credit="Photo courtesy of hazelbaker rush" photoUserId=""/>

"For us, the major constraint was budget," explains Darci. "Since we were our own builders, we could keep the renovation process fairly organic. Opening up the layout to allow for natural light was the main priority. We wanted the home to be full of the desert light."

Throughout the home, original materials and former furniture found new purpose. "We wanted old details and materials to contrast with the new, such as repurposing the wood lath as cladding around the bathroom volume in the living room and bedroom," says Darci. "It felt sacrilegious to throw away a part of the house that had such history, and had once been placed on the walls with such care. We wanted to celebrate that."

"We continually referenced our mantra of simple and functional when working on the renovation," says Dale. "We wanted to create more usable public space in the kitchen and living area, and create a more private bedroom with more closet space and a bigger, brighter bathroom."

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"We love that our home has evolved harmoniously with us," says Darci. "It speaks to tradition and of the past, while at the same time the changes that we have made speak to how we choose to inhabit the world. We wanted to show that updating an older home can preserve its past and also honor the present and the future."

When asked what advice they would give to others, the couple responded by encapsulating the philosophy that served their renovation: "Be open to change, timelessness, and longevity. Focus on natural materials that age gracefully, simple geometries, and a return to basics—keep it honest and simple."

More Budget Breakdown:

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Project Credits:

Architecture & Construction: Hazelbaker Rush / @haruhandmade

Interior Design: Hazelbaker Rush

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Budget Breakdown: An Architect Couple Polish Up Their Tucson Bungalow for $42K